The Story of Pleteno
We are a creative group of women from villages in mountainous Thrace, a region with a rich multicultural identity. In 2019, we founded the social cooperative enterprise Pleteno, with the aim of becoming professionally active in the creation of handmade women’s accessories and home items.
Through this professional activity, we have the opportunity to develop new skills, actively participate in entrepreneurship and contribute to changing stereotypes around the role of women in the local community.
What Pleteno Means
Pleteno means “knitted” in the local language. The name was chosen by the students of the Second Chance School in the village of Kentavros for their virtual business, as everything started from the Second Chance School, where women attend classes in order to obtain their lower secondary school certificate.
The creation of Pleteno has special meaning for the women of the mountain villages, as it gives them the opportunity to step beyond everyday routine, express themselves creatively and participate in the real world of entrepreneurship, with all the opportunities and challenges it brings.
Handmade Creations with Tradition and Contemporary Aesthetics
Inspired by our cultural heritage, we revive and apply traditional techniques, adapting them to modern needs and trends. Through educational seminars and creative workshops, we create elegant handmade items for everyday use.
Our passion and desire to create inspire us every day to enrich our collection with new designs and products. Within a short period of time, we have already earned the trust of professionals for the creation of custom handmade items.
Sustainability and Circular Economy
We believe in the value of the circular economy. We transform unused materials from the textile industry into new products through reuse and recycling.
As a social economy cooperative, we support the craftswomen of our community and choose practices that respect the environment, people and animals. We do not use materials that harm the environment or animal welfare.
Our Products
In our collection, you will find handmade products that combine tradition, attention to detail and contemporary aesthetics.
- Handmade bags
- Wallets
- Tops and scarves
- Jewellery
- Rugs
- Lighting items
- Home items
Our Techniques
Loom weaving, macramé, crochet and dyeing with natural plant-based dyes are some of the techniques we apply in our creations. Each product is made with care, patience and respect for tradition.
Our Space in Xanthi
Today, Pleteno has its own space at the 8th km of the Xanthi - Drama National Road, at the junction towards Sminthi.
The cooperative consists of 12 members from 4 villages and is open every day, giving visitors the opportunity to discover our creations, meet our team and learn more about our philosophy.
Follow Pleteno
You can see our products and latest creations on Instagram, visit our Facebook page and read more news and stories through our Blog.